Youth Apprenticeships

Advancing students to career … debt free

The Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeship program is about advancing students’ career and college readiness in our region’s high-demand jobs. Students gain knowledge and skills through both classroom and hands-on experience. The Youth Apprenticeship program is a collaboration between Trident Technical College, Apprenticeship Carolina, all the schools in our tri-county region and funding partners. The Chamber, through the Accelerate fund, is a founding funder and continues to support scholarships for tuition and supplies to help students enroll – and complete – their apprenticeships debt-free.

Youth Apprenticeship students take high school classes while attending industry-specific courses at Trident Technical College two to three days per week. There are 18 different pathways ranging from Manufacturing to Health and IT to Automotive.

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Geared for Technical Success

At the end of the two-year program, students will have earned a high school diploma, 30 hours of college credit in an industry-specific field, credentialing from the U.S. Department of Labor and two years of paid work experience.

At the end of two-years, students have earned:

  • A high school diploma
  • 30 hours of college credit
  • Credentialing from the U.S. Department of Labor
  • Two years of paid work Experience

Apprentices at Work

  • 92 Youth Apprentices
  • 54 Employers/Hosts
  • 18 Career Pathways

Pathway to a Career

Youth Apprenticeship Pathways

  • Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
  • Automotive
  • Bookkeeping/ Pre-Accounting
  • Civil CAD Technician
  • CNA to Pre-Nursing
  • Computer Networking
  • Culinary Arts
  • Cybersecurity
  • Emergency Medical Technician
  • Engineering Assistant
  • Hotel Operations
  • Industrial Mechanics
  • Jr. Computer Programming
  • Machine Tool Technology
  • Medical Office Assistant
  • Security/ Pre-Law Enforcement

In Their Words

"At the Department of Labor we are strategizing about how we can close the skills gap and help young people move into careers debt free. You all have found the recipe for success."

Amy Firestone Ph.D. Office of Apprenticeship, DOL

In Their Words

"Youth Apprenticeship students have the opportunity to get an education, work with us part-time, and come on full-time after their education... What a great opportunity..."

Brad Davis, Hendrick Automotive Group of CHS